A FITTING concert of song and dance is to be performed by Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society (WODS) in memory of their longest serving member.

Sonia Armstrong, who recently died aged 89, joined WODS 73 years ago, immediately after the war and first appeared in The Desert Song staged at the Theatre Royal, Worcester.

Mrs Armstrong went on to demonstrate her considerable talent and professionalism as a solo dancer and in a number of leading and supporting roles; serving on the WODS committee including a period as secretary, later elected as president and a life member, supporting the youth group WODYS as their secretary and a mentor to many.

WODS members say Mrs Armstrong will be remembered for her talent, inspiration and enthusiasm.

WODS is putting on the concert as a tribute to Mrs Armstrong and her loyalty and dedication to the society. It will be produced by David Humphries, WODYS chairman and a past president of WODS, and the production team will include Sheila Boniface, and Hattie Amos, WODS and WODYS musical directors.

MORE:Fair point: I'm moved by the support for Oscar Saxelby-Lee by the public

Music will consist of songs that Mrs Armstrong performed as a leading lady and songs from WODS and WODYS shows that won the NODA Best Musical award for the region.

Outside WODS, Mrs Armstrong worked at Heenan and Froude and then for many years as a secretary to John Hole the artistic director at the Swan Theatre, in addition to arranging fund raising events for the theatre.

Following the opening of the theatre in the 1960s, Mrs Armstrong frequently appeared in plays there, as well as keeping time for her other interests of painting, gardening, school reunions, volunteering at the local hospital and in more recent years the civic society.

WODS is staging the event at its rehearsal rooms in Northfield Street, Worcester,‪on November 15,16 and 17, and is including many of the shows that Mrs Armstrong will be remembered for.